Blitzen Trapper — Furr
Album: FurrAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1365
Length: 3:59
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Yeah, when I was only seventeen
I could hear the angels whispering
So I drove into the woods
And wandered aimlessly about
Until I heard my mother shouting through the fog
It turned out to be the howling of a dog
Or a wolf, to be exact
The sound sent shivers down my back
But I was drawn into the pack and before long
They allowed me to join in and sing their song
So from the cliffs and highest hills
Yeah, we would gladly get our fill
Howling endlessly and shrilly at the dawn
And I lost the taste for judging right from wrong
For my flesh had turned to fur
Yeah, and my thoughts they surely were
Turned to instinct and obedience to God
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you'd better be sure
If you're making God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, babe,
I'm like fuel on a fire
So if you're gonna get made
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
On the day that I turned 23
I was curled up underneath a dogwood tree
When suddenly a girl
Her skin the color of a pearl
She wandered aimlessly, but she didn't seem to see
She was listening for the angels just like me
So I stood and looked about
I brushed the leaves off of my snout
And then I heard my mother shouting through the trees
You should have seen that girl go shaky at the knees
So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm
And raised our children up as gently as you please
And now my fur has turned to skin
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that, I confess, I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
And through the howling winds that blow
Across the ancient distant flow
To fill our bodies up like water till we know
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you'd better be sure
If you're making God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, babe,
I'm like fuel on a fire
So if you're gonna get made
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
I could hear the angels whispering
So I drove into the woods
And wandered aimlessly about
Until I heard my mother shouting through the fog
It turned out to be the howling of a dog
Or a wolf, to be exact
The sound sent shivers down my back
But I was drawn into the pack and before long
They allowed me to join in and sing their song
So from the cliffs and highest hills
Yeah, we would gladly get our fill
Howling endlessly and shrilly at the dawn
And I lost the taste for judging right from wrong
For my flesh had turned to fur
Yeah, and my thoughts they surely were
Turned to instinct and obedience to God
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you'd better be sure
If you're making God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, babe,
I'm like fuel on a fire
So if you're gonna get made
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
On the day that I turned 23
I was curled up underneath a dogwood tree
When suddenly a girl
Her skin the color of a pearl
She wandered aimlessly, but she didn't seem to see
She was listening for the angels just like me
So I stood and looked about
I brushed the leaves off of my snout
And then I heard my mother shouting through the trees
You should have seen that girl go shaky at the knees
So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm
And raised our children up as gently as you please
And now my fur has turned to skin
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that, I confess, I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
And through the howling winds that blow
Across the ancient distant flow
To fill our bodies up like water till we know
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you'd better be sure
If you're making God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, babe,
I'm like fuel on a fire
So if you're gonna get made
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
Comments (149)add comment
Brilliant song based on a lesser known myth of an Indigenous nation in southwestern British Columbia.
Hippostar wrote:
What a bizarre conclusion.
"So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
What a bizarre conclusion.
Hippostar wrote:
Wow, not to be dismissive of whatever issues you have with men and their behavior, I get the feeling, given the imagery put forth by the lyrics triggered a reaction that perhaps was a little overwrought. What words should the lyricist have used to convey joining with the girl at that moment? Taking someone by the hand or arm was once thought to be a nice thing.
"So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
Wow, not to be dismissive of whatever issues you have with men and their behavior, I get the feeling, given the imagery put forth by the lyrics triggered a reaction that perhaps was a little overwrought. What words should the lyricist have used to convey joining with the girl at that moment? Taking someone by the hand or arm was once thought to be a nice thing.
Just love this one!
pcicatar wrote:
Probably not a fan of Nilsson either I reckon.
I really want to like this son, but I absolutely hate double-tracked vocals. It's the primary reason that to this day I can't listen to Elliot Smith.
Probably not a fan of Nilsson either I reckon.
"So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
We settled down upon a farm"
Toxic male syndrome much?
Stopped me in my tracks when I first heard this.
...I lost my taste for judging right from wrong...
Like others, I thought sure this was Elliott BROOD. The banjo sounds just like "Northern Air."
R U kidding me? Love love!
Never heard this —- wow!
Howling good double gone Johnson.
Bone wrote:
Bru
I feel like I get a bit more Furr each time I hear this one.
:)
=8=
:)
=8=
Bru
A few months ago I went to Amsterdam to see them performing all of NY's Harvest-album. After that very enjoyable show they played this one. I recognized the song but never knew it was theirs.
WonderLizard wrote:
Or "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day? Okay, it's a stretch...
...or "June Bug" by The B-52s.
Or "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day? Okay, it's a stretch...
...or "June Bug" by The B-52s.
Like it, though thought I was listening to Elliot Brood until I looked at the website.
Thought this was a lost track by Lindis Farne. Not a bad thing!
Nice.
Reminiscent of Queen's "39".
Reminiscent of Queen's "39".
You should have seen that girl go shaky at the knees.
DeemerDave wrote:
Ever hear of "Blackbird" by the Beatles?
Or "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day? Okay, it's a stretch...
Ever hear of "Blackbird" by the Beatles?
Or "Rockin' Robin" by Bobby Day? Okay, it's a stretch...
It's the spiritual werewolf falling in love and settling down song.
joelbb wrote:
Judy Collins incorporated whale calls waaay back in the 60s, but I can't think of any with bird calls
Ever hear of "Blackbird" by the Beatles?
Judy Collins incorporated whale calls waaay back in the 60s, but I can't think of any with bird calls
Ever hear of "Blackbird" by the Beatles?
I feel like I get a bit more Furr each time I hear this one.
:)
=8=
:)
=8=
BBoyes wrote:
That's what you might call a "niche market": I can't think of too many songs which incorporate bird calls... there's, um, well, hmm... anyone else?
Judy Collins incorporated whale calls waaay back in the 60s, but I can't think of any with bird calls
That's what you might call a "niche market": I can't think of too many songs which incorporate bird calls... there's, um, well, hmm... anyone else?
Judy Collins incorporated whale calls waaay back in the 60s, but I can't think of any with bird calls
Quit the tale. Most entertaining.
"Pulling on a Line", followed by "Furr"? Methinks RP found one of my favorite playlists..... can't wait to see what you have lined up next!
xkolibuul wrote:
That's what you might call a "niche market": I can't think of too many songs which incorporate bird calls... there's, um, well, hmm... anyone else?
One of the best incorporations of bird calls (Common loon, specifically, and possibly others) into a song that I've heard. Usually attempts to do this come off rather clunky at best and hackneyed at worst. But 'Furr' is really well done.
That's what you might call a "niche market": I can't think of too many songs which incorporate bird calls... there's, um, well, hmm... anyone else?
One of the best incorporations of bird calls (Common loon, specifically, and possibly others) into a song that I've heard. Usually attempts to do this come off rather clunky at best and hackneyed at worst. But 'Furr' is really well done.
Fortunate to see Blitzen Trapper in Wenatchee on 10/23 in a very small venue (150). Great band!
This is doo-doo. What? "One guitar and a lot of whining?" 2.
I can dance this. Unbelievable!
Now my fur has turned to skin
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that I confess I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
Through the howling winds that blow
Across the ancient distant flow
To fill our bodies up like water 'till we know
Love it.
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that I confess I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
Through the howling winds that blow
Across the ancient distant flow
To fill our bodies up like water 'till we know
Love it.
8->9
I love when you guys play this track :)
Perhaps one of the best truths of life that no one wants to hear.
BrightonGuy wrote:
Smells good to me.
Like farting in an elevator, this tune is wrong on so many levels.
Smells good to me.
Like farting in an elevator, this tune is wrong on so many levels.
Oh dear. This may not be my cup of musical tea, but it sparkles with musical creativity and is satisfying, somehow, which shows the previous song by the Great Lake Swimmers for the pallid, uninteresting song it is.
Dead ringer for the Queen song "Year of '39".
I was thinking Emerson, Lake and Palmer.... or Mason Proffet.
cShaggy wrote:
Well put. Agree with everything you said.
..band/disc graphics don't jibe with tune (which is quite good)..just noticed the other comment on this in the thread.. ..also, the wood grain background is mismatched w/the disc name..go fig!..
Well put. Agree with everything you said.
Puppy reincarnation music! Love it!
I really want to like this son, but I absolutely hate double-tracked vocals. It's the primary reason that to this day I can't listen to Elliot Smith.
..band/disc graphics don't jibe with tune (which is quite good)..just noticed the other comment on this in the thread..
..also, the wood grain background is mismatched w/the disc name..go fig!..
..also, the wood grain background is mismatched w/the disc name..go fig!..
Brilliant!
love.
berck wrote:
This is a good song, but restrained compared to NMH. Horns are a big part of their music.
Is it just me, or do these guys sound like a more melodic Neutral Milk Hotel?
This is a good song, but restrained compared to NMH. Horns are a big part of their music.
Is it just me, or do these guys sound like a more melodic Neutral Milk Hotel?
Their new album is out and it's pretty good.
Umberdog wrote:
Great example of conceit.
Great poetic use of metaphor... I like it quite a lot. I relate, and the music is interesting... giving it an 8. Would have gave a 9 if it wasn't for the weird distracting ephemerals.
Great example of conceit.
First heard this on "Chuck." It has become one of my most listened-to songs!
Fantastic! Love this band!
mcYammer wrote:
Good doggie! Down boy, down!
My son's favorite from this album: "he's a GOOD lycanthrope, daddy!"
Good doggie! Down boy, down! They will never trap Blitzen...he has more super powers than you know...
Yeah, when I was only 17,
I could hear the angels whispering
So I droned into the words and wandered aimlessly about
Until I heard my mother shouting through the fog
It turned out to be the howling of a dog
Or a wolf to be exact, the sound sent shivers down my back
But I was drawn into the pack and before long
They allowed me to join in and sing their song
So from the cliffs and highest hill, yeah
We would gladly get our fill
Howling endlessly and shrilly at the dawn
And I lost the taste for judging right from wrong
For my flesh had turned to fur, yeah
And my thoughts, they surely were
Turned to instinct and obedience to God.
You can wear your fur
like a river on fire
But you better be sure
if you're makin' God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, Babe,
I'm like fuel on fire
So if you're gonna' get made,
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
On the day that I turned 23,
I was curled up underneath a dogwood tree
When suddenly a girl with skin the color of a pearl
She wandered aimlessly, but she didn't seem to see
She was listenin' for the angels just like me
So I stood and looked about
I brushed the leaves off of my snout
And then I heard my mother shouting through the trees
You should have seen that girl go shaky at the knees
So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm
And raised our children up as gently as you please.
And now my fur has turned to skin
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that I confess I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
An' through the howlin' winds that blow,
Across the ancient distant flow,
It fill our bodies up like water till we know.
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you better be sure
If you're makin' God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, Babe,
I'm like fuel on fire
So if you're gonna' get made,
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
I could hear the angels whispering
So I droned into the words and wandered aimlessly about
Until I heard my mother shouting through the fog
It turned out to be the howling of a dog
Or a wolf to be exact, the sound sent shivers down my back
But I was drawn into the pack and before long
They allowed me to join in and sing their song
So from the cliffs and highest hill, yeah
We would gladly get our fill
Howling endlessly and shrilly at the dawn
And I lost the taste for judging right from wrong
For my flesh had turned to fur, yeah
And my thoughts, they surely were
Turned to instinct and obedience to God.
You can wear your fur
like a river on fire
But you better be sure
if you're makin' God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, Babe,
I'm like fuel on fire
So if you're gonna' get made,
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
On the day that I turned 23,
I was curled up underneath a dogwood tree
When suddenly a girl with skin the color of a pearl
She wandered aimlessly, but she didn't seem to see
She was listenin' for the angels just like me
So I stood and looked about
I brushed the leaves off of my snout
And then I heard my mother shouting through the trees
You should have seen that girl go shaky at the knees
So I took her by the arm
We settled down upon a farm
And raised our children up as gently as you please.
And now my fur has turned to skin
And I've been quickly ushered in
To a world that I confess I do not know
But I still dream of running careless through the snow
An' through the howlin' winds that blow,
Across the ancient distant flow,
It fill our bodies up like water till we know.
You can wear your fur
Like a river on fire
But you better be sure
If you're makin' God a liar
I'm a rattlesnake, Babe,
I'm like fuel on fire
So if you're gonna' get made,
Don't be afraid of what you've learned
this has an old sound to it. really nice feel to this and great use of metaphor and imagery here.
Great poetic use of metaphor... I like it quite a lot. I relate, and the music is interesting... giving it an 8. Would have gave a 9 if it wasn't for the weird distracting ephemerals.
4 —-> 6
Somehow this song is more agreeable to me today.... Reading the other posts I decided to pull up the lyrics, and they are interesting, poetic even.
Somehow this song is more agreeable to me today.... Reading the other posts I decided to pull up the lyrics, and they are interesting, poetic even.
On_The_Beach wrote:
(Well, maybe a little VH wouldn't kill us)
Furr sure. We get Lynyrd Skynyrd and Bad Company, but no Eddie VH? It just doesn't make sense to me. stewliscious wrote:
Definitely some similarities between all of them. Hopefully we won't be hearing them on RP!
(Well, maybe a little VH wouldn't kill us)
I am thinking Twisted Sister, possibly Def Leppard, more than any Van Halen cover I recall...
Definitely some similarities between all of them. Hopefully we won't be hearing them on RP!
(Well, maybe a little VH wouldn't kill us)
YAY! More Blitzen Trapper! How about Wild Mountain Nation and/or Country Caravan!
crockydile wrote:
I am thinking Twisted Sister, possibly Def Leppard, more than any Van Halen cover I recall...
and isn't that like saying "Dropping acid and Jimi's guitar playing were the only 2 original things about the Jimi Hendrix Experience"?
Looks like they reused the Van Halen font for this album....that and Eddie's playing are the only 2 original things about Van Halen.
I am thinking Twisted Sister, possibly Def Leppard, more than any Van Halen cover I recall...
and isn't that like saying "Dropping acid and Jimi's guitar playing were the only 2 original things about the Jimi Hendrix Experience"?
Businessgypsy wrote:
Nice, especially the blitzen in the picture.
Nice, especially the blitzen in the picture.
philbertr wrote:
hahahaha, just read that post you're referring to. too funny.
Of course, that spliff that I sucked on a few minutes ago (first one in 20+ years) just might have had something to do with my previous post.
I'm just saying.....
I'm just saying.....
hahahaha, just read that post you're referring to.
too funny. stescott100 wrote:
Dog Bothering?
God Bothering :P
Dog Bothering?
they're playing another song about a wolf after this—-cool.
crockydile wrote:
P.S. Congrats on not using Rx meds, philbertr - natural remedies are the best!
Looks like they reused the Van Halen font for this album...
More of a typographic illustration than a font, and of a style not originating with Van Halen, FWIW. Portland bands, by law, have to engage in ironic parody on some level. Would you prefer this?P.S. Congrats on not using Rx meds, philbertr - natural remedies are the best!
Of course, that spliff that I sucked on a few minutes ago (first one in 20+ years) just might have had something to do with my previous post.
I'm just saying.....
I'm just saying.....
Had to come on and post a comment, after now many times I've heard this song here on RP before, this was the first time that I listened to the words.....
Wow!!! This song has incredible lyrics!! What a fantastic ballad!
8 -> 9
Wow!!! This song has incredible lyrics!! What a fantastic ballad!
8 -> 9
8!.........
Very Odd! I like it! (starting with an '8'.) 
God Bothering :P
This is a solid band and I look forward to hearing more from them down the road. Saw them in a small venue here in Canada and I was pleasantly surprised!! They were having equipment trouble but despite that they carried on full-out with a borrowed guitar from another band...soem would've just called it quits. 
8—>9
Marley wrote:
Not hearing it.
Another band to make Portland proud. I caught them on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic a while back. Definite Neil Young influence in their music.
Not hearing it.
Why is this rated so high?
My son's favorite from this album: "he's a GOOD lycanthrope, daddy!"
Love this one! Something very haunting and beautiful about it. And though I don't usually pay that much attention to the details of the lyrics (I know, for shame), I do love the story this tells. Well done all around.
Looks like they reused the Van Halen font for this album....that and Eddie's playing are the only 2 original things about Van Halen.
Agreed!!!! Everytime I hear it I enjoy it more.
This song is just excellent!
Sounds like a loon in the background!
Another band to make Portland proud. I caught them on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic a while back. Definite Neil Young influence in their music.
"I'm a rattlesnake, babe" is that like Morrisson proclaiming he's the lizard king? 8
I was biking home yesterday listening to RP and was blown away by this song. Great melody, perfect lyrics. As soon as I got home I purchased it.
suebee3 wrote:
Agreed. I think Bob Dylan is smiling.
Yeh, me too. "With God on our side" maybe?
I think he's on harmonica, having helped out the lyrics.......
Agreed. I think Bob Dylan is smiling.
Yeh, me too. "With God on our side" maybe?
I think he's on harmonica, having helped out the lyrics.......
To thine own furr be true? 8 from me.
suebee3 wrote:
Ditto suebee3..... and not just because my best friend's name is Suebee, either...
oK - LoVE tHis!!
Ditto suebee3..... and not just because my best friend's name is Suebee, either...
Lyrics to live your life by ...
oK - LoVE tHis!!
Dave_Mack wrote:
Love the bastardized Van Halen font logo!!!
I love the album cover since it looks like a heavy metal band, say Dokken, perhaps.
Love the bastardized Van Halen font logo!!!
I heard this in a grocery store in Philadelphia this weekend and couldn't help humming along and tapping my feet . . . 
hixmyrick wrote:
Agreed. I think Bob Dylan is smiling.
This is a wonderful song. It sounds effortless, as if it grew organically from the tree of music.
Agreed. I think Bob Dylan is smiling.
The shaky at the knees bit always makes me grin in delight.
This is a terrific song!
This is a terrific song!
Nice song. Very good lyrics.
This is a wonderful song. It sounds effortless, as if it grew organically from the tree of music.
coy wrote:
hi bschena
why is via iTunes hoo hiss ?
need to know if i'm supposed to hate them
If you don't install the app, you can't have the song! Which doesn't apply to me so hey.
hi bschena
why is via iTunes hoo hiss ?
need to know if i'm supposed to hate them
If you don't install the app, you can't have the song! Which doesn't apply to me so hey.
bschena wrote:
hi bschena
why is via iTunes hoo hiss ?
need to know if i'm supposed to hate them
I'm really liking this. If you want a free copy, NPR is sponsoring a free download via iTunes (boo, hiss) of a collection of SXSW music right now (11Mar2009) here. This is one of the 10 free "preview" tracks.
Cheers!
Cheers!
hi bschena
why is via iTunes hoo hiss ?
need to know if i'm supposed to hate them
For some reason the "boom-chick-boom-chick" is suiting me just perfectly for a beautiful Friday morning.
GREAT ALBUM!!
Lots of interesting songs off this album; they have a different sound than this tune ...hard to describe...quirky, cool rock and roll....kind of like a modern version of Queen's Sheer Heart Attack album. I'm tying to get another song uploaded, no luck yet.
I love the lyrics. . . can't wait to see these guys at the Sasquatch Festival in the Gorge at George. . .
Awooooooo!!! I love this song... more each time I hear it...
Bob would dig........
only seems to work for the united states, at least thats what I get when trying to download it .... too bad
bschena wrote:
Bumping bschena's post: Get this song and others FREE
I'm really liking this. If you want a free copy, NPR is sponsoring a free download via iTunes (boo, hiss) of a collection of SXSW music right now (11Mar2009) here. This is one of the 10 free "preview" tracks.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Bumping bschena's post: Get this song and others FREE
This is growing on me...sorta like fur, I guess. Seriously though, some songs grab me the first time I hear them and I often grow tired of them; this was the opposite. On the first listen, it got little more then a "meh" out of me. But it's gotten under my skin...7->8; I wonder if it goes to 9 on the next listen.
Black River Killer from this album is a great song too (I think this is the right title).
Does Wes Anderson use music from this band in any of his movies? Sounds like from a wes anderson movie,no?
I have to say, this is one of the rare songs where the lyrical imagery capture me but the music itself fails to. Usually the one pulls the other along with it by force, but in this case I really dig the lyrics but am (as of yet) unable to say I like the music.
bschena wrote:
Way cool. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. I just downloaded my copy.
I'm really liking this. If you want a free copy, NPR is sponsoring a free download via iTunes (boo, hiss) of a collection of SXSW music right now (11Mar2009) here. This is one of the 10 free "preview" tracks.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Way cool. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. I just downloaded my copy.
bschena wrote:
Thanks for the hint! I also really like this song ... and those free iTunes tracks are even the +versions (no DRM, better quality) – cool!
I'm really liking this. If you want a free copy, NPR is sponsoring a free download via iTunes (boo, hiss) of a collection of SXSW music right now (11Mar2009) here. This is one of the 10 free "preview" tracks.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Thanks for the hint! I also really like this song ... and those free iTunes tracks are even the +versions (no DRM, better quality) – cool!
jedley wrote:
if you want "hooks"...go fishing or listen to mainstream radio. this is a wonderfully written song, you need to listen...not just hear.
ear candy rots your brain...ear nutrition makes you think. this song is our daily allowance.
if you think this song sucks...you're musically unhealthy. if you would just open your mind and seek help for your I.G.S. (Instant Gratification Syndrome), Blitzen Trapper could become your primary care physician.
The only real 'hook' in this song is the stereo doubling of the vocal. That's sorta cheating. The song itself kinda sucks.
if you want "hooks"...go fishing or listen to mainstream radio. this is a wonderfully written song, you need to listen...not just hear.
ear candy rots your brain...ear nutrition makes you think. this song is our daily allowance.
if you think this song sucks...you're musically unhealthy. if you would just open your mind and seek help for your I.G.S. (Instant Gratification Syndrome), Blitzen Trapper could become your primary care physician.
The only real 'hook' in this song is the stereo doubling of the vocal. That's sorta cheating. The song itself kinda sucks.
I'm really liking this. If you want a free copy, NPR is sponsoring a free download via iTunes (boo, hiss) of a collection of SXSW music right now (11Mar2009) here. This is one of the 10 free "preview" tracks.
Cheers!
Cheers!
yeah i like this. rest of the album is kinda "meh" though."
This grabs me every time it comes on...very cool! Who will be the first to rate it a 10?
Edit - Answer ...Me!
Edit - Answer ...Me!
First heard this on "Chuck." It has become one of my most listened-to songs!
Tctb
Y